Media glimpse of PLA drills a first in Beijing 'softens stance' towards Hong Kong

The People's Liberation Army Hong Kong garrison is to open its military exercises to the media today for the first time since the handover, with two commentators suggesting that it indicates Beijing is softening its stance towards the city in the wake of the rejection of the electoral reform package.

A person invited to attend the event said the invitation letter stated the Hong Kong garrison would stage the drill at Castle Peak Firing Range to mark the 18th anniversary of the handover.

The source said the invitation pointed out it was the first time the event was open to the media and the Hong Kong community. It is understood the exercise will be live-fire military drills.

Top Hong Kong government officials and deputies to the National People's Congress and the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference have been invited to attend.

The high-profile drill comes a week after journalists were unexpectedly let into the central government's liaison office in Hong Kong to wait for the 40 pro-establishment lawmakers who were having a tea gathering with office director Zhang Xiaoming .

Commentator Johnny Lau Yui-siu said it may be another indication of Beijing adopting a softer stance after the package for the 2017 chief executive election was voted down last month.